Al Sharpton
Al Sharpton
Alfred Charles "Al" Sharpton Jr.is an American civil rights activist, Baptist minister, television/radio talk show host and a trusted White House adviser who, according to 60 Minutes, has become President Barack Obama's "go-to black leader." In 2004, he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential election. He hosts his own radio talk show, Keepin' It Real, and he makes regular guest appearances on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. In 2011, he was named the host of...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCivil Rights Leader
Date of Birth3 October 1954
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
I grew up in the 1950s and '60s, when it was almost a holiday when a black act would go on Ed Sullivan.
I very rarely read any fiction. I love biographies; I read about all kinds of people. I love theology and some philosophy.
So (if) some cracker come and tell you 'Well, my mother and father blood go back to the Mayflower,' you better hold your pocket. That ain't nothing to be proud of. That means their forefathers was crooks.
As I often say, we have come a long way from the days of slavery, but in 2014, discrimination and inequality still saturate our society in modern ways. Though racism may be less blatant now in many cases, its existence is undeniable.
The United States government has the obligation to educate all young people in this country.
How do you make things fair?
It is time to bring down the volume and bring up the program.
If O.J. had been accused of killing his black wife, you would not have seen the same passion stirred up.
When you're dealing with boycotts, you don't need everyone. You just need enough to be effective.
The promise of America is one immigration policy for all who seek to enter our shores, whether they come from Mexico, Haiti or Canada, there must be one set of rules for everybody. We cannot welcome those to come and then try and act as though any culture will not be respected or treated inferior. We cannot look at the Latino community and preach 'one language.' No one gave them an English test before they sent them to Iraq to fight for America.
Bill Clinton strikes me as the kind of guy who goes wherever the polls lead him, rather than leading the polls.
Dr. King used Gandhi's commitment to non-violence and to passive resistance.
I think that you can't choose leadership. You have to deal with the leadership that the people respond to.
Dr. King's general principles are universal. But the things he confronted took place in another era.